Booting off a network?

[Skyrail]

I've heard that you can boot off a network, does this mean there is a central server that stores all the OS files and when a PC starts it can be set to boot of network in the BIOS? Can it be done so that the server runs on Linux and the other computers run on Windows? Is there also any useful guides/information on how to do it as I wouldn't mind giving it a try

Thanks for any help/info.

[Whiternoise]

From a quick google

http://www.kegel.com/linux/pxe.html
http://www.hanewin.net/remote-boot.htm

personally i don't have the foggiest, but those sites seem to be what you're looking for.

[Steve B]

theres a couple of ways to do it i think.

you could install PXE and have the server dish out a boot image when the machine starts up across the LAN. which'll then run itself on the client, allowing the client to download the network files to allow connection to the server.
this options available if you can "boot from lan" in your bios.

if not, you'll need to either a) load the boot image onto a floppy or b) load the boot image onto a USB-KEY in order to get the client to download.

i've tried it a few times each way, and failed each time. Its tricky to get working, so let me know manage

[Skyrail]

Ok thanks I've just got this free server I got from my local doctors lying around ready to be used, apart from a horrendous beeping sound (which I think may be form lack of Harddrive) it is also lacking a harddrive, of which would have to be a SCSI (which don't come cheap) I was just wondering just in case I manage to get it working, I'd then be able to network a few of my PCs together and make it easy for me to just mess around with for fun

[Steve B]

you could run XP on a 1 gig USB key, and just have a networked folder for anything else?

[Skyrail]

Nah, my main reason of doing it is to mess around with networking and modifying settings (mainly like they do at school). Mainly out of fun and interest